IT Services and Infrastructure Lead

Northern LGPS; Manchester; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Northern LGPS is seeking an IT Services and Infrastructure Lead to shape and govern the technology environment as it grows into a modern investment management organisation. You will lead the outsourced MSP delivery, set infrastructure standards, and ensure security, resilience and value across IT operations.

Working closely with the Head of Technology, you will act as the internal technical authority and drive governance, service management and risk controls across the technology estate.

Qualifications

• Experience leading IT infrastructure and outsourced services.
• Experience overseeing outsourced managed service providers and service performance.
• Knowledge of cyber security oversight, risk management and operational resilience.
• Experience in governance, service management and SLA monitoring.
• Ability to work with multiple stakeholders and drive continuous improvement across technology services.

Responsibilities

• Lead implementation, configuration, testing and validation of technology infrastructure via an outsourced MSP.
• Act as internal technical authority for infrastructure, end-user services, cyber security and IT operations.
• Oversee MSP performance to ensure high-quality service against SLAs.
• Define, monitor and improve IT service requirements, availability and performance.
• Establish cyber security requirements and manage vulnerabilities, incidents, and risks.
• Build governance around technology operations, change/configuration management and operational controls.
• Develop and test business continuity and disaster recovery arrangements.
• Lead supplier relationships including procurement and onboarding of the MSP.
• Support infrastructure budgets and identify efficiency/value improvements.
• Provide regular reporting on service performance, cyber security and resilience to governance forums.
• Support audits, assurance reviews and regulatory expectations related to technology and outsourced IT services.

Skills

IT infrastructure

MSP management

Cyber security

SLA monitoring

IT operations

Job description

Shape the technology foundations of a new investment manager

As IT Services and Infrastructure Lead, you’ll play a pivotal role in building and overseeing the technology environment that will support Northern LGPS as it enters a significant new phase of its development. Working closely with the Head of Technology, you’ll act as the organisation’s internal technical authority, ensuring that infrastructure, cyber security and IT operations are secure, resilient and fit for purpose.

This is an opportunity to lead the delivery and governance of an outsourced managed service, influence technology strategy from the outset and help establish the operational standards that will underpin a modern investment management organisation.

About Northern LGPS

Northern LGPS is a c£70bn pooled investment partnership for the Local Government Pension Scheme, bringing together the investments of Greater Manchester Pension Fund, Merseyside Pension Fund and West Yorkshire Pension Fund.

Building on the foundations of its collaboration over several years, Northern LGPS is now entering the next phase of its development. This phase focuses on establishing an FCA authorised investment management company with a dedicated senior leadership team, strengthening governance and creating a clear operating model to support long-term investment outcomes.

For those joining at this stage, the opportunity is exceptional. These roles offer the chance to shape strategy, set standards and build leadership capability for the long term, working closely with the partner funds, who are both shareholders and clients, Boards and regulators to ensure Northern LGPS continues to evolve as a well-governed, resilient investment organisation.

Our culture

As Northern LGPS continues to evolve, we are building a collaborative, open and trusting organisation where people can do their best work.

We believe strong outcomes come from working together, sharing knowledge and supporting one another. Our flexible and hybrid working arrangements give colleagues greater flexibility in how they manage their time, while supporting collaboration and colleague wellbeing.

We are developing a supportive learning culture where people are encouraged to grow, contribute ideas and help shape how the organisation works. Our ambition is to build a resilient and sustainable organisation that delivers for its Partner Funds over the long term.

Main responsibilities

You’ll:

• Lead the implementation, configuration, testing and validation of Northern LGPS's technology infrastructure through an outsourced IT Managed Services provider.
• Act as the internal technical authority for infrastructure, end-user services, cyber security and IT operations.
• Oversee the performance of the outsourced IT Managed Services provider, ensuring high-quality service delivery against agreed service level agreements (SLAs).
• Define, monitor and improve IT service requirements, availability, capacity and operational performance.
• Establish and oversee cyber security requirements, ensuring vulnerabilities, incidents and risks are effectively managed and escalated.
• Build strong governance around technology operations, change management, configuration management and operational controls.
• Develop and test business continuity and disaster recovery arrangements to support organisational resilience.
• Lead supplier relationships, including the procurement and onboarding of the managed service provider.
• Work with the Head of Technology to support infrastructure budgets and identify opportunities to improve efficiency and value.
• Provide regular reporting on service performance, technology risks, cyber security and operational resilience to governance forums.
• Support audits, assurance reviews and regulatory expectations relating to technology and outsourced IT services.

What we’re looking for

You’ll bring the technical expertise and leadership to oversee a modern outsourced technology environment while ensuring services remain secure, resilient and aligned to organisational objectives.

We’re particularly interested in professionals who can demonstrate experience of:

• Managing IT infrastructure and operational services.
• Overseeing outsourced managed service providers and holding suppliers accountable for service performance.
• Technology governance, service management and SLA monitoring.
• Cyber security oversight, risk management and operational resilience.
• Infrastructure availability, performance monitoring and continual service improvement.
• Change, configuration and incident management.
• Business continuity and disaster recovery planning.
• Working with multiple internal and external stakeholders, including technology suppliers and assurance bodies.
• Driving continuous improvement across technology services.

Hours of work

37 hours per week.

Location

Manchester, Liverpool, or Bradford.

Sponsorship

We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.

Equal opportunities

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race (including colour, nationality, and ethnic or national origin), religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and able to thrive. If you require any adjustments to the recruitment process to support your application, please let us know, and we will work with you to meet your needs.